I made a large quart jar of bath salts months ago. This Christmas, it easily poured into little quilted jelly jars with fabric/ribbon decor for 3 easy homemade gifts with no stress! Unfortunately, I also have 2 works-in-process (UFOs as crafters call them, "Unfinished Objects") that have taken me too long for a Christmas gift. One project is a 4" wide granny square scarf that I need to complete for a gift next Christmas. Another is a crocheted baby blanket that I am not happy with how it is turning out... but it will be a gift for next Christmas!

Christmas Eve = Volunteering at a Soup Kitchen & eating out afterwards Christmas Breakfast= Eggnog French Toast, hot chocolate, juice & fruit Christmas Dinner= Prime Rib with horseradish sauce, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, gravy, broccoli, olives, carrots, Cranberry Jell-O Salad, rolls, Sparkling Apple Cider, red velvet brownies and cherry cheesecake for dessert. (A big treat for us!!) :drool5:

2nd Christmas without MIL -- since her death, hubby and FIL (his father) are estranged. He is not handling the holidays well.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I grew up in a home where this was the norm for the kids to use their spending $$ on snacks or food. It should not be a big deal. If anything, I would make a bigger deal if one of the siblings ate the snack the teen bought with their own $. Get a shelf or plastic cubby to keep it in the pantry.

:iagree:

:hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

:grouphug: I think people are clueless. Try to let it go. They will not waver and think they are right. If it helps, I get a similar reaction from close friends or family about my Aspie/PDD-NOS son. My MIL was the worst. Auuugh. Sad thing was, this was her only grandchild. She really took it as a blemish on her gene pool. :confused1: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **REGARDING UNSOLICITED OPINIONS: On rare occassions, I get people tell me to change doctors for son and my rare liver disease (if I run into a problem with insurance, bedside manner or trying to go to an appointment from Dallas to Houston)... and I look at them like, "Huh??" Like I can change doctors at the drop of a hat. This doctor is the only doctor in 6 states who will see an adult for the rare disease... other metabolic geneticists only see children. And he is 1 out of 6 doctors worldwide who specializes in our rare genetic disease. DUH. I have to hold myself back and let their idiotic comment slide. They really have NO IDEA.

Um... :leaving: No. I would not believe the diagnosis without a blood test by a specialist.

:cheers2:

Um... family photo or who "signs" the card??

Chocolate fountain is fun to dip fruit, sponge cake, and pretzels in. Bubbly beverage -- either soda or Sparkling Apple Cider??

I have had this often -- most likely is an abcess or swollen lymph node. But also get my blood labs run every 6 months (with my rare liver disease) and so far, no sign of cancer or whatever. The only thing that bugs me when it happens is if I am wearing a certain bra... it is irritating. HTH

Thank Gawd I'm not the only one who felt this way -- since the 90's, I hated their music when it blared during this time of the year.

:grouphug: Oh, Jann... sorry to hear about your eyesight. Can you get surgery?

Ayup. I was just putting up the Christmas (artifical -- 1991 Walmart special) tree this weekend. And with the A/C running, ceiling fan on, shorts and barefeet... I was sweating so badly (also thanks to menopause & hot flashes)!! I so long for cold weather just to cool off hormonally. :bored:

We used to be landlords years ago... you really need to see a lawyer. Legally, you may have either cancelled the debt for the previous tenant by allowing a sub-lease with her folks. And the only way to get a judgment for the debt is to evict the current tenants as it sounds like a sub-lease??? Eeek.

And if the group of relatives are at the point where the grandchildren are old enough to fly out of the nest... then remember, they too in a few short years will form their own holiday traditions with their new spouses. Soon the invites to Grammy's will end as everyone finds their own path. My grandmother ruled the roost and dictated to us all when and where holiday dinners would take place. Once she got too old to cook and the grandkids were out of high school... each of the aunts and uncles celebrated on their own. It happens.

I love all of the Christmas Tree photos!!! I just got my tree up tonight (undecorated), but soon we shall decorate. Yay!

:iagree: Too funny!!!

Try thinking of using your "booth" like a Pyramid. At the bottom tier of the pyramid, you will have many (little or inexpensive) items for sale under $10. Usually this is what draws in the crowd. Your middle tier items are priced higher and you do not have many of them. Only a moderate amount in various styles or colors. And finally, your TOP tier items are high quality, priced high, and only 3-5 of them in stock. Think of a theme or trend for the booth -- and use whatever doesn't sell for the next fair or they are holiday gifts. A good craft fair will earn 2-3 times the booth price, if this helps. For Spring shows... begin prepping now. For Fall & Christmas, begin in the Winter/Spring. HTH

Forgot to mention... My husband has terrible ingrown nails and once he saw what I went thru numerous times -- he chose to let the nail grow out on its own. Now, he has longer toe nails but it makes it easy for him to keep trim by cutting across straight.

I've had numerous toenails ripped out... and truthfully, it is not that bad. Keep in mind, your son will have to face the "needle" thing. But if you talk to the Podiatrist in advance, he can prescribe something in advance or use a freeze spray/numbing cream before he uses the needle to make the toe go "numb". That part alone is the uncomfortable part as he uses the needle (once it is under the skin) to move about and inject the anesthetic. He will then allow the patient to sit in the office for 15 minutes (or more) and then check for numbness. I usually bring a book, crochet or stitchery to pass the time for this part. Your son can bring a PSP or DS video game, perhaps? The actual procedure is super quick. He will feel pressure... but no pain. Bring a slipper or sandal with a toe opening to go home in as the bandages will be big and you cannot wear shoes. He will need a pain prescription as it will THROB for the first 24 hours and all he will want to do is sleep. You will need to keep clean the nail bed, use prescription cream, soak the toe in Espom Salt baths, and wrap in new bandages, etc. For maybe 4-5 days and keep the leg elevated periodically. Then let the nail grow back in on its own.

This dates me, but skinny jeans were very popular in the 80's and everyone (youngsters) wore them. Now, this trend is back with another old fashion favorite... the boot. I am seeing leggings make a comeback (another popular trend in the 80s... ironically from the 60s with thicker fabric) and they look great with boots too. I think it is not a "MOM" uniform, but a fashion fave for certain bodytypes... ;)